Angelita Green Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

Angelita Green EA

Angelita Green, EA has worked with cannabis clients for over 7 years from seed to sale. She is a founding member of National Association of Cannabis Accountants where she received her Cannabis Certification and is also the Southeast Committee Leader.  Angelita is also part of the DOPE CFO VIP network which brings a network of world class service to her clients.  She has been an expert speaker at several events and has sponsored several social equity clients helping them get traction in this industry. She is on the NCIA committee for Hemp and was on the DEIC committee. Angelita is a member of WCCC and is one of hosts of By the Numbers: Q&A with Certified Cannabis Accountants. Angelita Green is one of the Cannabis Accounting for Accountants facilitators.  Her constant up to date knowledge in this industry and experience has given several entrepreneurs the compliance and tax strategies needed to optimize profitability. Angelita is the founder and CEO of  New Leaf EA Corporation

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Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce WCCC Vanessa Palacios

Vanessa Palacios COO & Co-Owner

Vanessa Palacios had a successful 20 year career with the Public Service Company (PNM) Her entrepreneurial husband, Oscar, encouraged her to make a career change and to consider opening a business. 

Vanessa’s career with PNM gave her the opportunity to develop and perfect skill sets that would secure her an executive position with any company. She coordinated program implementation, including developing participation forecasts, designing promotions, managing contracts, tracking participation and budget, working with participating vendors, retailers, and contractors, and preparing regulatory compliance reports on programs.

Vanessa’s skill sets are the skill sets needed to develop a business plan, s.o.p.’s, and launch a cannabis dispensary.

Vanessa Palacios is a co-owner and Chief of Operations for Lemon Cannabis Co, located in the Nob Hill Neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lemon Cannabis Co is an integrated microbusiness that has just opened their first dispensary storefront. Lemon Cannabis Co. focuses on premium products and knowledgeable Budtenders to ensure both the novice and the connoisseur finds the perfect product.

Lemon Cannabis Co is working towards a more sustainable cannabis industry. They use glass containers for single pre-rolls and sturdy boxes for pre-roll 6-packs. Lemon Cannabis Co has a refill program: Bring the glass container and/or the pre-roll box back to be refilled and receive 10% off the purchase. They were surprised by the lack of biodegradable packaging and have begun working with companies to develop biodegradable packaging for Lemon Cannabis Co products. 

Although Lemon Cannabis Co is new to the area, Vanessa and her team are native Albuquerqueans with strong ties to the community. 

Creating a positive experience is what Vanessa strives to do in all interactions. As a past customer satisfaction trainer and 20 years of interacting with consumers to understand their needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the cannabis industry to meet consumer needs. 

Her passion also lies within the community she serves, “I love Albuquerque! The people make it a beautiful place to live and I hope to be a part of all the wonderful and positive things happening here.” 

Vanessa has been involved with United Way Worldwide for over 20 years. She has been an

avid contributor and was selected as a PNM Co-Captain in 2013 and 2014 to assist in raising money for the Annual Campaign.

Vanessa and the Lemon Cannabis Co. team continue the commitment to serving their community. They are creating a foundation to improve the community and have pledged to donate 5% of all Lemon Cannabis Co. profits.

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Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

Alexis Berends Visionary Officer

Alexis Berends job title is Chief Visionary Officer at Union Chill Cannabis Company llc. In Lambertville, NJ. The title fits her. 

Alexis has lived in Lambertville, NJ, (Nishowmensa, Lenapehoking) most of her life. At best calculation, her son is the seventh generation to call her beloved river city home. Hailing from a line of activists, musicians, and artists, she deeply believes in inclusivity and change, and that the fledgling NJ cannabis industry can be utilized as a catalyst to shape our collective future. 

 After receiving a Bachelors of Honors in Globalization, Development and Human Rights from Arcadia University in 2009, Alexis continued on to pursue her Masters in International Peace & Conflict Resolution. Her studies brought her to the Middle East where she studied the plight of the Palestinian people in the context of environmental justice. Her research was focused on water access and indigenous rights through the lens of international law. After a series of divine interventions – including a vision quest with an AWOL Israeli soldier and a kidnapping in revolutionary Egypt – her life path was forever altered. 

 Upon returning to the United States, Alexis promptly moved to St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. During her time in the USVI, Alexis began to immerse herself in the Rastafarian culture and their deep relationship with cannabis. After leaving the USVI, Alexis found her way to Humboldt County, California where she was introduced to the cultivation side of cannabis. Not dissimilar to the USVI, in California Alexis gained an intimate glimpse into the lives of many of our Native American brothers & sisters who have been so negatively impacted by the war on drugs and industries at large.  

 It is Alexis’ goal to create a cannabis industry that honors the First Nations Peoples of the world and a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, as well as one that offers sincere equity to the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. 

 Alexis Berends is also a Divemaster, Master Shark Diver, Yoga Teacher, and Reiki Master. She enjoys anything related to vampires, the ocean, and the spacetime continuum. Of her revolving titles at Union Chill Cannabis, Chief Visionary Officer seems to best encompass her passions and vision. She deeply believes in the medicine of cannabis, especially in treating PTSD in conjunction with mindfulness and intention. 

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Why Women Should Purse a Career in the Cannabis Industries

Women Careers in Cannabis

Cannabis industries’ careers and opportunities are not limited to THC rich plants or products. The hemp industry and cannabinoid market are a major part of the cannabis industry. Each of these three markets have created new opportunities for ancillary businesses, as well as, new ancillary businesses. Whether you are an artist or accountant, a salesperson or a scientist there are opportunities in the cannabis industries. The research and the numbers show the growth and stability of the cannabis, hemp, and cannabinoid markets.

In 2021 the cannabis industry created an average of 280 new jobs per day. Leafly’s 2022 Jobs Report found that as of January 2022, 428,059 full time jobs were supported by the cannabis industry. The total number of people working in the industry is predicted to grow to 1.5 million to 1.75 million as the legal market matures. Employment agencies, such as Vangst, have emerged to fill cannabis positions in all legal states. Traditional employment agencies like Indeed have added cannabis “help wanted” listings.

Cannabis careers and opportunities are plentiful and varied. Cannabidiol, cannabis and hemp markets are rapidly expanding, and revenues are in the millions and billions of dollars. 

CBD is currently the most common cannabidiol product on the market. There are more than 100 cannabidiols, including THC and CBD. The market is seeing the introduction of CBN and CBG products and the emergence of Delta-8, opening up new career and business opportunities. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Cannabidiol Oil (CBD Oil) market size is estimated to be worth USD 720.5 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 3213.4 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 28.3% during the review period. Absolute Reports

CBD-infused Products Market Worth $216.8 Billion by 2028. Global Newswire

The global CBD skin care market size was valued at $633.6 million in 2018 and is anticipated to reach $3,484.00 million by 2026. 

The CBD skin care market exhibits an incremental revenue opportunity of $2,747.4 million from 2019 to 2026. Alliedmarketresearch.com

Hardy and renewable, industrial hemp produces a variety of products, including health foods, organic body care, clothing, construction materials, biofuels, animal feed, plastic composites and more. It is estimated that over 25,000 products can be made from hemp. Hemp offers unlimited career avenues.

In 2021, the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $824 million. Industrial Hemp Market to reach $310 million by 2027 National Hemp Report USDA

Cannabis is now the fifth most valuable crop in the U.S. It has evolved into gourmet edibles and beverages, topicals, concentrates, and new methods of consuming. Only 13 states have not legalized medical or recreational cannabis. 

The legal cannabis market is projected to pull in $43 billion by 2025. New Frontier Data.

The U.S. cannabis industry is now projected to be worth $100 billion USD by 2030. Business Insider  

But, beyond the numbers – Why should women pursue cannabis careers?

  • The cannabis, cannabinoid, hemp industry is in its infancy. This provides the opportunity to grow and advance your career. 
  • Rapid expansion and innovation continually create new career options.
  • CBD, hemp, and cannabis careers offer personal satisfaction. All are known for their healing properties, as well as, the potential to heal the planet.
  • There is genuine support from other women and women’s groups in the industry. 
  • The cannabis industries need smart women in executive roles. 

Notably, in 2021, the percentage of women who hold executive positions, 22.1%, fell below the average recorded across the larger U.S. business landscape, 29.8%, according to the 2021 report, “Women & Minorities in the Cannabis Industry.”

AddisonAuthor: Addison Morris, Founder & CEO Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

The Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce mission is to move entrepreneurs’ beyond empowerment into powerful result driven career strategies, CEO positions and business ownership; to provide education, resources and opportunities, to build long term business relationships and support through networking.

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